Stretton

This is an Olde English habitational name which derives from one of the many places in Britain called "Stretton"; all of whom have the same meaning of "The Farm by the Roman Road". The derivation is from the descriptive word "Straet" which was used by the original inhabitants of Britain to indicate "a paved way", as no roads were paved except those built by the Romans, the word became specific in meaning, as in Watling Street. The Domesday Book of 1086 records a number of placename spellings such as Stratune (Hereford), Stratone (Rutland) and Stratun (Shropshire). One of the earliest settlers in the new American colonies was Elizabeth Streaton (as spelt) who sailed there on the ship "Increase" on April 1st, 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hervey de Strettona, which was dated 1165, in the County Pipe Rolls of Cheshire, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Church Builder" 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.